Dad of slain Houston woman charged with tampering

JUAN A. LOZANO | Associated Press

Published 12:35 pm, Thursday, March 13, 2014

HOUSTON — The father of one of two women who were killed and their bodies dumped next to a trash bin on the Bolivar Peninsula near Galveston has been charged with evidence tampering in both deaths, officials said Thursday.

Trochesset said the investigation is ongoing and charges against Cosby could be upgraded to capital murder.

"It appears that the young ladies may have been murdered in his home," he said.

Galveston County court records didn't list an attorney for Cosby. He faces two counts of tampering with physical evidence related to a corpse.

The bodies of Britney Cosby and Crystal Jackson, both 24, who investigators say were in a romantic relationship, were discovered March 7 next to a trash bin behind a store.

Officials say Britney Cosby died from blows to the head and Jackson from a gunshot. Investigators believe the women, from Houston, were killed elsewhere and their bodies were dumped on the peninsula.

Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the slayings, Trochesset said.

Authorities are also still looking for the victims' vehicle, a silver 2006 Kia Sorento SUV with grey trim.

A few hours before his arrest, James Cosby had attended a vigil Wednesday evening in Houston for the women.

Trochesset said that after the vigil, sheriff's office investigators went to Cosby's home and interviewed him. During the interview, investigators became suspicious of Cosby and things they saw at the home.

After obtaining a search warrant, officials found "blood and other evidence" at the home, Trochesset said.

Cosby had been released from prison about five months ago, Trochesset said.

Harris County court records show he had received a two-year prison term in 2011 for failing to register as a sex offender in connection with a 1994 aggravated assault conviction.

Court records also show a prior conviction for failure to register as a sex offender and convictions for assault and unlawfully carrying a weapon.